Thailand's classic first trip: through Bangkok to Chiang Mai for the moated old city, Doi Suthep and an elephant sanctuary; the overnight sleeper down to Bangkok for the Grand Palace, Wat Pho and Wat Arun across the river; then a short flight to Phuket for Kata and Karon, the Big Buddha and boat days to Phi Phi and Phang Nga Bay. Fly home from Phuket, which has direct flights to Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru and Kolkata.
Why it matters
Chiang Mai's old city holds more than 300 temples, Bangkok is the arrival city for almost every flight from India, and Phuket is the base for most Andaman trips. Indian food is easy in all three: Sukhumvit Soi 11 and Pahurat in Bangkok have pure-vegetarian restaurants, and Patong has several that are Jain-friendly.
Stop by stop
How the 10 days split across the 3 stops, and what each one costs on the ground for two.
The north's cultural capital: a moated old city with more than 300 temples, Doi Suthep's golden chedi above it, cooking schools, ethical elephant sanctuaries and Doi Inthanon, Thailand's highest peak. Cooler and calmer than Bangkok from November to February; avoid March and April, when crop burning fills the valley with smoke. Plenty of vegetarian food, and a handful of Indian restaurants in the old city and Nimman.
Don't miss: Doi Suthep golden chedi and city view · Wat Chedi Luang ruined chedi.
How long: 3 days, which is the recommended stay.
Chiang Mai International Airport (CNX), 4 km
3 days for two from ₹15,973 · ₹36,521 mid-range — stay, food, local travel and entry; the journey here is extra
Thailand's capital and the arrival city for almost every flight from India. The Grand Palace and Emerald Buddha, the reclining Buddha at Wat Pho and Wat Arun across the Chao Phraya sit within a boat ride of each other; Chinatown, rooftop bars, malls and the weekend market at Chatuchak fill the rest. Indian food is easy: Sukhumvit Soi 11 and Pahurat (Little India) have pure-vegetarian South and North Indian restaurants.
Don't miss: Grand Palace & Emerald Buddha · Reclining Buddha at Wat Pho.
How long: 3 days, which is the recommended stay.
Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK), 30 km
3 days for two from ₹19,502 · ₹44,638 mid-range — stay, food, local travel and entry; the journey here is extra
Thailand's largest island, joined to the mainland by bridge, and the base for most Andaman trips: Patong's nightlife, quieter Kata and Karon, the Big Buddha, Phuket Old Town, and boat days to Phi Phi, Phang Nga Bay (James Bond Island) and the Similans. Direct flights from Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru and Kolkata. Patong has many Indian restaurants, several pure-vegetarian and Jain-friendly. Seas are rough and red flags common from May to October.
Don't miss: Phang Nga Bay & James Bond Island by boat · Phi Phi Islands speedboat day.
How long: 4 days, which is the recommended stay.
Phuket International Airport (HKT), 35 km
4 days for two from ₹45,853 · ₹86,672 mid-range — stay, food, local travel and entry; the journey here is extra
What it costs
from ₹72,066 a person
The whole 10-day trip as the planner prices it in November, for two sharing at budget stays: flights from India and back, travel between the stops, stays, food, getting around, entry fees and the planner's buffer.
November to February suits all three; from February to April crop-burning smoke fills the northern valleys (worst in March), and from May to October the Andaman sea is rough with red flags on Phuket's beaches
Entry rules
No visa needed for up to 30 days
Within 72 hours before landing, fill in the Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) at tdac.immigration.go.th. It is free; save the QR code it gives you. Do one card per traveller, children included.
Checked 2026-10; confirm with the embassy before you fly.
Make it yours
Opens in the planner with all 3 stops, suggested days and your home city pre-filled, in November. Swap anything.
